BCA & ACE Liquor Center Release Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Dark Side” Private Barrel

Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Justin Jones

PUBLISH DATE: February 19, 2026

The Arkansas bourbon community continues to produce standout private barrel selections, and the latest release from the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) and ACE Liquor Center brings a powerful counterpart to an earlier pick.

The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Dark Side” Private Barrel arrives as a high-proof, double-digit aged selection from Heaven Hill Distillery’s Elijah Craig line.

This release serves as the darker companion to the previously released “Light Side Rebel Barrel,” with both barrels reportedly aged in the same rickhouse and dumped on the same day.

Bottle Details

• Brand: Elijah Craig
• Expression: Barrel Proof Private Selection
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 10 Years
• Proof: 129.5
• Selection: Bourbon Club of Arkansas & ACE Liquor Center
• Retail Price: $79.99 + tax

A High-Proof Elijah Craig Pick

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof selections are known for delivering bold, uncut bourbon straight from the barrel. At 129.5 proof, the “Dark Side” barrel falls squarely in the range that many enthusiasts seek for maximum flavor intensity.

Private selections like this allow local groups and retailers to choose a single barrel they believe represents the best profile available at the time. In Arkansas, organizations such as the Bourbon Club of Arkansas have built a strong reputation for identifying standout barrels, with many of their picks receiving recognition in national competitions.

With a 10-year age statement and a barrel-proof presentation, the Dark Side release is positioned as a rich and powerful counterpart to the earlier Light Side barrel.

Availability

The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Dark Side” private barrel was released through ACE Liquor Center in February 2026 at a retail price of $79.99 plus tax.

This particular release was exclusive to members of the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) and was not available as a general public release.

About Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig is one of the flagship bourbon brands produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after the 18th-century Baptist preacher often credited in bourbon folklore with pioneering charred oak barrels, the brand has become one of the most widely respected bourbons in the premium small batch and barrel-proof category.

The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof series, first released in 2013, is particularly popular among enthusiasts because it is bottled uncut and non-chill filtered, allowing the whiskey to retain its full strength and flavor profile.